Mary, my sister, was 19 years old when I was born. So, I knew her longer than anyone in this room except for my sister Bernadette which means, as hard as is to believe, that Bernadette is older than me. SO I knew Mary for a long time. However there are many in this room that knew her even better than I. And in their eyes and hearts and minds as in mine, Mary was a special lady. Special: Readily distinguishable from others. Unique and Lady: being how she looked and acted, who she was and how she treated people.. not only her outside persona but who she was in her heart.. how she lived her life. Special Lady. A theme that was very present as you would hear the words said about her during her life and when she passed away in the comments made about her on social media such as Facebook.My memories of Mary start in my real early days in the Bronx where my sisters would sing and dance in the shows put on by our parish, St Josephs. My sisters were really talented and enjoyed entertaining and just having fun. I can remember one day there was great excitement to learn that the local department store had a rare supply of Nylon stockings that were impossible to get due to WW II. They waited on line for hours and they were successful and got one pair each. They were almost as excited as when they would buy a Frank Sinatra record. And then there was this guy named Bob Kennedy who would come over and began dating her when we were living on Bathgate Avenue in the Bronx in the early 40’s. He would show up armed with Chiclets to bribe me to stop me from hiding behind the couch so they could have some alone time. It worked! Because next thing you know I am 4 years old at their wedding singing “’Pistol Packin Mama” and watching them dance to one of the most popular songs in those days “You’ll Never Know Just how much I Love you” which they danced to many times during their marriage that lasted 64 years until Bob passed away. After they got married Bob went to Guam as a U. S. Marine to fight in WW II. I remember when I was about 7 they were living in Park Chester, and they would bring this kid they called Little Bobby over to Bathgate Avenue and he runs around wrecks the place and breaking my toys. What nerve! Doing this to his 7 year old uncle! Mary and Bob built a home in Massapequa Park and lived there for all of their lives. And then one day I was about 8, while playing Stickball in the street and just about to take a swing, Bernadette yells out of the window from 5 stories up “Mary had a Girl”. Wow I shouted to my friends “I am an uncle again”. So young for so much responsibility. About ten years later Kathy was born, the family was now complete and Bobby, Mary and Kathy really lucked out by having like the best parents, a wonderful Mom and Dad. Whom we will miss and remember forever. My parents eventually moved from the Bronx to West Babylon. As time went on Mary with Bob had to spend more time caring for them and assuming the role of caregiver, financial custodian and managing the sad but necessary tasks of end of life issues.And there is no one in this room that knows the feeling, the stress and heartache and love required to fill this role than Kathy who did this for her mom during the last part of her Mom’s life. As the years went by Mary and Bob’s love grew and grew and so did their family - Bobby, Mary and Kathy had their babies and they became grandparents to Keri, Kyle, Bobby, Ryan, Ritchie and Katie. As she was for her babies, she was always there for their babies. Once again she was special to them, because she made THEM feel special by acknowledging their accomplishments and sharing her experiences. She showed her love for them in many ways but most importantly by being who she was. She leaves them, and all of us, with her image and what WE would like to be…. and our children to become. SPECIAL! As the years went by after Bob passed, she longed to be with him more and more. I am so grateful I saw her the Sunday before she left us. When I arrived, her first grandchild Keri was by her side, as she was so often, as Katie was. As I watched her, it was obvious Mary had made her decision. She wanted and was going to be with him again. So, very early this past Sunday morning she made her journey. She wanted to be there with Bob for Valentine’s Day. And if we consider that heaven is in a time zone a few hours behind us, She made it! Our Special Lady is dancing with her Special Guy to the song “You’ll never know just how much I love you”. And of course! They knew how much they loved each other. And it was so obvious to all of us. We knew how much they loved each other and she must know now, how much we loved her and we will always love her!

Aunt Mary was a great lady and the secret weapon during all of those Thanksgiving day Trivial Pursuit games. My wife Laura and I have fond memories of her.

I know Mary and Bob are smiling down at all of us. Knowing that we miss them dearly. And the memories they gave us will live forever.

Will miss you Auny Mary! Such wonderful memories.....

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.